The Lok Sabha on Wednesday passed the Merchant Shipping Bill, 2024, aimed at modernizing India's maritime legal framework, expanding eligibility for ship ownership, and strengthening the government's power to investigate marine casualties. The bill was cleared after a brief discussion, even as opposition MPs continued to protest loudly over the issue of poll roll revision in Bihar.

The legislation, which seeks to repeal the existing Merchant Shipping Act of 1958, empowers the central government to detain and take control of vessels that are found to be operating without a legal flag—effectively treating them as vessels without nationality. This is expected to enhance India’s capability to regulate ships in its waters and address illegal shipping operations more effectively.

The bill also proposes expanded eligibility criteria for owning merchant vessels, a move seen as vital to boosting investment and innovation in the Indian shipping sector.

Minister of Ports, Shipping and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal, who introduced the bill, said it represents a "contemporaneous, futuristic, and dynamic legislation" aligned with India's ambitions as an emerging maritime economy. He emphasized that the changes would improve India's competitiveness and help meet international maritime obligations.